Sciatica

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a painful condition that occurs when the longest nerve in your body (the sciatic nerve) becomes irritated or compressed.

This nerve runs from your lower back, through the hips and buttocks, and down each leg. When it’s pinched or inflamed, pain can radiate along this entire pathway. Sciatica isn’t a disease, but rather a symptom of an underlying orthopedic problem, such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.

What does sciatica feel like?

People with sciatica often describe feeling:

• Numbness
• Shooting, sharp, or burning pain that travels from the lower back down one leg
• Tingling
• Weakness in the affected leg or foot

You may also notice that pain worsens after prolonged sitting, sudden movements, or coughing. While sciatica usually affects one side of the body, it can sometimes occur on both sides depending on the cause.

What causes sciatica?

Anything that pinches the sciatic nerve can trigger sciatica. The most common causes include:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spondylolisthesis
• Muscle tightness or injury
• Pregnancy
• Cysts, tumors, or other growths

You’re at greater risk of sciatica if you’ve had a back injury or are overweight, sedentary, or diabetic.

How is sciatica treated?

Dr. Mohan focuses on both pain relief and the underlying cause of nerve irritation. Your treatment plan may include:

Conservative therapies

Rest, heat or ice therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are typically the first steps to treating sciatica.

Physical therapy

Stretching, strengthening, and posture exercises help relieve nerve pressure and prevent recurrence.

Injections

Corticosteroid or epidural injections can reduce inflammation around the nerve and provide longer-lasting relief.

Minimally invasive procedures

If conservative measures fail, Dr. Mohan can discuss other options. Procedures such as microdiscectomy or endoscopic decompression remove the tissue pressing on the nerve to ease pain.

Lifestyle guidance

Dr. Mohan can recommend manageable changes to your routine and lifestyle to support better spinal health and overall well-being. Weight management, moderate exercise, and gentle stretching can all contribute to feeling better over time.

With expert diagnosis and treatment at Pain Specialists of Frisco, you can speed up your recovery and get back to doing what you love. Schedule your consultation today to address both the symptoms and root cause of your sciatica. You can book now by calling the nearest office or using the online scheduler.